Rugby Cement warned over fuel burning scheme, UK

Published:
03 August 2006

Owners of the Rugby Cement works have been warned they must prove a proposed fuel burning scheme is not not ’harmful’ to the town. About 100 residents and councillors attended a meeting at the Benn Hall last Thursday (July 27) to discuss Cemex’s plans for fuel burning at the Lawford Road plant.

The meeting - organised by Rugby Borough Council and chaired by Rugby MP Jeremy Wright - focused on tyre burning trials at the plant and the use of a new alternative fuel burning system.

However, Ian Withers, from the Environment Agency, told the meeting: "Cemex will have to show us that the use of Climafuel will not cause harm to the local environment.

"Once the trial is completed, they will need to show again there is no detriment. "Only then, if we are satisfied these issues are covered, will we be able to conclude that the use of Climafuel should be considered."

The meeting featured a panel of interested parties, including Cemex’s sustainability director David Evans, Lilian Pallikaropoulos from campaign group Rugby in Plume and Sean Lawson, head of environmental health with Rugby Borough Council.

Cemex is currently undertaking a consultation process into the proposals and plans to apply to the Environment Agency for permission to start trials in September.